My family members, Sophia’s parents, Tucker and Shadow are waiting outside our room. It may be selfish, but after all we’ve been through together, Sophia and I wanted this time, this special moment, to be only the two of us. We will invite the rest of the family in after we’ve had time alone with our son. The nurse walks in to make her standard round and check on Sophia’s progress. Before I know what’s happening, the hospital bed is transformed into a birthing bed, and everything is moving so quickly.
“What’s happening?” I ask, confused as to how I can help.
“She’s dilated to ten centimeters and the head is crowning. You’re about to meet your baby,” the nurse says with a smile.
I’m more excited than a kid on Christmas morning. The love of my life is about to share the best gift she could possibly give me.
“But everything I read said the first baby would take longer, even more than day, before the actual delivery!” Sophia exclaims and the fear overtakes her beautiful face.
Moving beside her, I take her hand and softly kiss each knuckle. The nurse replies, “Everyone is different, sweetie. Some women can be in active labor for several days. As long as her water hasn’t broken and the baby isn’t in distress, we’ll try to let her have it naturally. Other women only have a few hours notice once labor starts.”
Sophia looks up at me, her eyes wide, but then she realizes the date. “Oh, Dominic! He’ll be born onyourbirthday!”
I give her my full-on smile in return. “I was actually just thinking about how you’re trying to one-up the birthday gift I gave you.”
She laughs, noticeably relaxing now. “I love you, Dominic. I’m scared but I’m more excited than anything.”
“Ready to meet our son?” I ask her before leaning in to kiss her.
“I’m ready.”
After the nurse has everything in the room prepped and ready to go, the doctor strolls in and takes her seat at the end of the transformed bed. Sophia’s legs are up in the stirrups as she checks her and confirms that she’s ready to push. Taking my place at her side, I coach, encourage, and help her in every way I know how. When she has to lean forward to push, I help hold her up. When she lies back again, I wipe the sweat from her brow and tell her how amazing she is.
“Here we go, Sophia,” Dr. Perry says. “Last push before you get to meet your baby boy. Give me all you’ve got.”
Leaning forward, Sophia bears down, holds her breath, and pushes with all her might. Her face is strained and red, her breathing nonexistent at the moment, and her eyes are determined. This is it. This is the last one. We’re about to hold our baby in our arms for the very first time.
I don’t know how to hold a baby. Shit. I don’t know how to hold a baby!
“Here he is!” Dr. Perry exclaims as our baby makes his entrance into this world. The nurse rushes over to wipe him off and the doctor looks up at me. “Dad, do you want to cut the cord?”
“Yes,” I stumble over a simple, one-syllable answer.
Taking the scissors from the doctor after she clamps off the cord, I cut the cord in the center, severing the physical tie to Sophia. The nurse whisks him away to quickly wash him off, weigh him, and wrap him in a baby blanket. Within ninety seconds flat, he is swaddled in the blanket and being placed into my arms.
It is the most natural thing I’ve never done before–holding my son, cradling him close to my chest, talking to him as I take the few steps back to Sophia. I inhale his sweet baby scent, rub my nose over his soft baby skin, and place my lips on his plump baby cheek.
“Sophia, are you ready to meet our son?” I say as I place him in her arms.
She looks down at him and tears of elation flow down her beautiful cheeks. “Hunter Devan Powers, welcome to our little family. Your Daddy and Mommy love you so much,” she whispers.
Wrapping my arms around Sophia and Hunter, I’m overwhelmed with love and pride. Of all the accomplishments I’ve had in my life, this is by far my greatest. The nurse takes my phone and takes several pictures of us together as a family for the first time. This is my life. This is my world. This is my love. It’s all about family. I’m all about my family.
She isMy Angel. I am Her Dom. This will never be over.
The End
